Game Thread GAME# 71: KNICKS @ BLAZERS - MARCH 23, 2017 - THURSDAY, 7:00 PM (PST), KGW

[Scalma]

@Scalma @Po'sFinest Would both of you really make the argument that Crabbe is the best shooter in the entire league?! Better than Curry? Thompson? McCollum? Korver? Redick???

When did I say he was the best shooter in the league?

But yeah, he's up there.

 

[crandc]

I was watching some Rod Strickland with incredible handles and passing on youtube yesterday and my god that guy was unbelievable...I'd like to see Dame and CJ study his game..one of my favorite point guards ever!

Yeah, when he was "on" which was not always, Strick was amazing.

 

[GDiama]

I put stupid people on ignore when they say stupid things like "he got paid, he doesn't care any more."

Next.

Yes probably you alone have the privilege to be smart. Thanks!

 

[tester551]

When did I say he was the best shooter in the league?

But yeah, he's up there.

Crabbe is a very good shooter, but he brings nothing else to the table. I would MUCH rather have a Courtney Lee type player who shoots 0.400 from 3 & has some other skill sets than Crabbe who shoots 0.440 from 3 and is a net negative in all other aspects of the game.

 

[Trackjack]

My problem is not offense side it the defense side. Sometimes it is his effort on the court. Yes he makes a decent defense play here and there but when the ball went pass him over half court and stood there just watch it and lee ran it down and then Nurk commit a foul due to his hustle then I got a problem with that and I don't think he worth 19 million year. He is rating 5th worst 2 guard on defense in the NBA. When you got that big contract you better be a 2 way player and he his not.

 

[GDiama]

When I see this limited effort on the defensive end and the fact that he hasn't really improved his offensive game then I say he doesn't care. Maybe it's too harsh on him, but I have high expectations from someone that knows the team very well, knows the system, the coach, everything. He has to get better. He didn't really take his game to another level this year. He is just a little bit better shooter than he was last year and he is worse on the defensive end. This is not nearly enough.

He is 6'6, he can shoot the ball and is getting paid 18M. He should be able to make a difference, not just provide what Aminu provides (well Aminu even contributes more overall).

 

[Nate]

The people that are anti-crabbe are pretty funny. They try to say that he barely shoots 8 times a game because he "can't create his own shot" (which isn't true). But if that's the case, how did Wesley Matthews manage to shoot 7 3's a game and 12.5 fga per game when he was here? (Not to mention other players on other teams, like reddick) Wesley Matthews, was just as "bad" as crabbe at creating his own shot, and he was god awful on a fast break.

Yeah, Wes started doing post ups towards the end of his time here, and he had a little step back 3. But he didn't have the pull up, or floater that crabbe has, so that's pretty much a wash.

The lack of shooting from crabbe is tater totts fault.

What type of moron coach can't get someone at least 3 shots a quarter? He's just barely getting him 8 a game. It was less than that, not too long ago.

 

[crandc]

You people slay me. The Blazers win, they are tearing it up since the break, and a long list of folks kvetching.

Oi vey.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Luke Babbitt (Played for the Blazers, fed 24,000 people Taco Bell on one iconic night)

Totally late on this thread, but had to bump because:

 

[Pinwheel1]

One problem Crabbe has is he is usually in the game with Aminu. Opposing teams leave Chief wide open from deep, so of course he takes them . I would much rather have Crabbe take a contested 3, than Aminu take a wide open 3. Take away the four 3 point shots Aminu took last night and run screens for Crabbe. I don't care what the advanced stats say, in the long run we will be better off.

 

[BosnianChampion]

Totally late on this thread, but had to bump because:

HAHAHA did Luke trip and fall over?!

 

[illmatic99]

What's Terry saying? Can't make out

 

[Dougnsalem]

What's Terry saying? Can't make out

He's the point?

 

[Wizard Mentor]

On Crabbe:
1) He's trying not to do stupid stuff, so he plays conservatively - but he's been a bit more aggressive lately, and it's been good to see.

2) The better the team is at passing, the better a player like Crabbe looks. We're a better passing team in the Nurk era (not because Nurk passing>Plums, but because Nurk draws more attention, making everyone's passing a little easier), and Crabbe and the team have benefited.

3) Crabbe makes a lot of $$$, which is a cause for concern for some. Personally, I don't think it'd be a problem if he was the only one. Unfortunately, several players are being overpaid, so Crabbe will likely have to go. It's really too bad, too.

4) Crabbe's defense has been called into question.

5) Overall, I'd like us to keep Crabbe, he has a niche on the team and he does it well. Modern bball, and Stotts in particular, wants as many shooters on the floor as possible. This makes Crabbe valuable. He's also very young. However, it's all moot - Crabbe is out of here. The only way we keep Crabbe is if we dump both ET AND Biebs contracts, and I don't see that happening.

6) Finally, it'll be interesting to see Crabbe's play after he's traded to another team and has a starter's responsibility. It's possible his game will blossom, or not.

 

[Scalma]

Trade: Leonard (add a pick or take back some salary if need be), Davis, and one of Aminu/Harkless

Ezeli is gone

We don't have to trade Crabbe. We shouldn't trade Crabbe. We need more shooters, not less. They don't grow on trees. Can't draft one and expect immediate contributions either.

 

[Po'sFinest]

Trade: Leonard (add a pick or take back some salary if need be), Davis, and one of Aminu/Harkless

Ezeli is gone

We don't have to trade Crabbe. We shouldn't trade Crabbe. We need more shooters, not less. They don't grow on trees. Can't draft one and expect immediate contributions either.

Totally agree

 

[BosnianChampion]

Trade: Leonard (add a pick or take back some salary if need be), Davis, and one of Aminu/Harkless

Ezeli is gone

We don't have to trade Crabbe. We shouldn't trade Crabbe. We need more shooters, not less. They don't grow on trees. Can't draft one and expect immediate contributions either.

When Crabbe shoots more, we win more. He's a good shooter, and will probably start next year at SF for us. Aminu is so dangerous to us when he dribbles, and he seems to think he's great at it so he dribbles ALL THE TIME! He has to go.

 

[Scalma]

The thing about Aminu is his defense is really good. Like it's not overrated at all, he's really good defensively, capable of defending different type of players. That versatility is huge. We would all love him a lot more if he got muzzled offensively. I think it comes down to whether or not Harkless has hit his ceiling. If Olshey doesn't believe so, then trade Aminu. I personally think Harkless is pretty close to what he will be going forward. He's still got youth on his side, has a friendly contract, and would be easy to trade. It's a close call.

 

[Scalma]

We should just trade McCollum and one of our picks for jimmy butler and call it a day. That's a contender and Allen won't care about paying luxury tax.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

We should just trade McCollum and one of our picks for jimmy butler and call it a day. That's a contender and Allen won't care about paying luxury tax.

As nice as that might be, I don't see Chicago going for it.

 

[GDiama]

Chicago wouldnt gain anything by getting CJ and a 15th pick. Shouldnt be enough unless they think Butler ia toxic for them,but he is also on a better contract.

 

[Orion Bailey]

And I don't think it automatically makes us a contender. to swap CJ and a pick for Butler. Still need a consistent starting SF with great D and a decent shot.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Unless you guys are putting Butler at the three and gonna start Crabbe? But then our bench needs improvement. Not sold on that trade making us a contender.

 

[KingSpeed]

Butler sucks

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Trade: Leonard (add a pick or take back some salary if need be), Davis, and one of Aminu/Harkless

Ezeli is gone

We don't have to trade Crabbe. We shouldn't trade Crabbe. We need more shooters, not less. They don't grow on trees. Can't draft one and expect immediate contributions either.

Here's my problem: look at the blazers salaries for 2017-18
http://www.basketball-reference.com/contracts/POR.html

We've used up $121 mil WITHOUT Davis, Vonleh, Nurk. Suppose Nurk + Vonleh make $34 mil (which I think is low), that makes it $155 mil. There's no way that's not in the luxury tax. But, the pain continues (under these conditions):
17-18: $155
18-19: $153

that's repeater tax territory - not where we want to be.

We have Crabbe at $19 mil per year, Biebs at $10, Hark at $10, and ET at $17. Consider that, Here's the next question:
You're the Nets, Mavericks, Knicks, Lakers, whoever else is/should be rebuilding. Which one of these players would you give up a mid-first rounder + cap space for?
You're a contender, and want an extra player for a playoff run. Which one of these players would you give up a mid-first rounder + cap space for?

Of these, IMHO, Crabbe is the most desirable. Rumors are that other teams have shown interest in Harkless at the deadline, but we don't know the extent.

Knowing Olshey's management style, he'll not trade ET because it hurts the team's reputation to trade players you signed as an FA, especially after one year.

So, I'm simpatico with your desire to keep Crabbe. I'm just curious as to who's gonna take some $20 mil combination of Biebs, Harkless, and ET's salaries for draft picks?



p.s. If Neil is able to trade Mr. Crappy Player with 2 herniated disks without giving up additional compensation, he's Exec of the Year. I'd like to see that!

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Here's my problem: look at the blazers salaries for 2017-18
http://www.basketball-reference.com/contracts/POR.html

We've used up $121 mil WITHOUT Davis, Vonleh, Nurk. Suppose Nurk + Vonleh make $34 mil (which I think is low), that makes it $155 mil. There's no way that's not in the luxury tax. But, the pain continues (under these conditions):
17-18: $155
18-19: $153

that's repeater tax territory - not where we want to be.

We have Crabbe at $19 mil per year, Biebs at $10, Hark at $10, and ET at $17. Consider that, Here's the next question:
You're the Nets, Mavericks, Knicks, Lakers, whoever else is/should be rebuilding. Which one of these players would you give up a mid-first rounder + cap space for?
You're a contender, and want an extra player for a playoff run. Which one of these players would you give up a mid-first rounder + cap space for?

Of these, IMHO, Crabbe is the most desirable. Rumors are that other teams have shown interest in Harkless at the deadline, but we don't know the extent.

Knowing Olshey's management style, he'll not trade ET because it hurts the team's reputation to trade players you signed as an FA, especially after one year.

So, I'm simpatico with your desire to keep Crabbe. I'm just curious as to who's gonna take some $20 mil combination of Biebs, Harkless, and ET's salaries for draft picks?



p.s. If Neil is able to trade Mr. Crappy Player with 2 herniated disks without giving up additional compensation, he's Exec of the Year. I'd like to see that!

Nurk and Vonleh don't get raises until the 18-19 season. and the repeater tax doesn't kick in until your 3rd season in the luxury tax, which would be 19-20 at the earliest.

 

[riverman]

He has one of the worst handles in the NBA for a 2-guard

I disagree....Wes Mathews has one of the worst handles for a 2 guard

 

[riverman]

CJ and Dame have just started to pass the ball to Crabbe since Nurk got here...Nurk found him open the first day he played with us...Crabbe is a follower..not an alpha guy at all...running plays for him is working. He is invisible if you listen to the radio because he doesn't lead the charge. Every role playing free agent got paid when Crabbe got paid...luckily for us he got 20 mil less than Chandler Parson and way less than Batum....Batum has played exactly like he did for us...hot start and huge dropoff after the allstar break....seems to be a pattern for Nico....Crabbe is ok...as is he'll never be all NBA or and allstar.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Nurk and Vonleh don't get raises until the 18-19 season. and the repeater tax doesn't kick in until your 3rd season in the luxury tax, which would be 19-20 at the earliest.

Gotcha. Let me try it again
17-18: $140 (luxury tax, N+V on the cheap)
18-19: $153 (luxury tax, N+V = $34 mil)
19-20: $150 (repeater tax, N+V = $34 mil)

 

[blue9]

Crabbe is our only good bench player. Turner is okay, and certainly more versatile, but I just don't know that he does anything well enough to be a keeper. Everyone else on the bench sucks.

We need to keep Harkless because he's the only good player on a small contract that we have...and our only decent SF in a league light on SFs. If we can shed Meyers, Davis, and Aminu - along with Turner (or Crabbe) - and replace them with players who cost half as much (or less!) that should help the salary situation once we need to pay Nurk. Vonleh is still up in the air - hopefully we can extend him on a friendly contract while he's still kinda ho-hum and then he seriously out-performs it and we get a few years of great production at a small price before trade-flipping him.

At least that's how I'd play this hand of misfit assets.